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Parenting Teens - September 6, 2012

Day 21 - Effective Communications Strategies Part III

We look at the role of reflecting back, responding appropriately and taking a long-term view in healthy communications.

7. Reflect back what they have said
• say back to them what you think they are trying to express, particularly their feelings use some of their own words and phrases

8. Respond appropriately
• give guidance and reassurance
• they are likely to remember our words for years to come

9. Take a long-term view
• sometimes any meaningful communicationwith teenagers can be a big struggle
• difficulties are usually the result of a phase they're going through
• try to create the conditions for conversation to become easier, at mealtimes; spending time with them doing what they enjoy; using their love language
• if worried, seek professional help and/or medical support

Question:Role play with another adult. Have them share a typical teenage problem with you, and reflect back what they’ve said. Go back and forth for a few minutes, then switch. What was easy or hard about this?

From Series: "Parenting Teenagers"

We look at the role of reflecting back, responding appropriately and taking a long-term view in healthy communications.7. Reflect back what they have said

say back to them what you think they are trying to express, particularly their feelings use some of their own words and phrases

8. Respond appropriately

give guidance and reassurance

they are likely to remember our words for years to come

9. Take a long-term view

sometimes any meaningful communicationwith teenagers can be a big struggle

difficulties are usually the result of a phase they’re going through

try to create the conditions for conversation to become easier, at mealtimes; spending time with them doing what they enjoy; using their love language

if worried, seek professional help and/or medical support

Role play with another adult. Have them share a typical teenage problem with you, and reflect back what they’ve said. Go back and forth for a few minutes, then switch. What was easy or hard about this?